| Friday |
| 9-9:20 a.m. |
Welcome. An overview of the day's events and an outline that provides a solid foundation for pursuing watchdog stories.
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| 9:20-10:00 a.m. |
Making effective use of the Internet for investigations. How to search better, save time, and get information from the invisible Web. |
10:05-11:00 a.m. |
The art of the interview. Learn the best ways to approach sources, prepare and handle the interview process. Plenty of tips and strategies for dealing with tough situations. |
| 11:05 a.m.-11:45 p.m. |
Introduction to computer-assisted reporting. Examples of blending databases into investigations, plus what to ask for in electronic files and how to ask for them. |
| 11:45-1:45 p.m. |
Luncheon and presentation of the Selden Ring Award. Recipients Dana Priest and Anne Hull of The Washington Post will discuss the story behind their prize-winning look at problems in a veteran's hospital, "The Other Walter Reed." |
1:50-2:50 p.m.
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The one-day investigation. How to report and write a watchdog story in a day. Think it can't be done? Think again. |
| 2:55-3:40 p.m. |
Paper and database trails. How to find and get documents and data you need for any beat or topic. |
3:45-4:30 p.m.
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Dissecting profit and nonprofit businesses. Using documents on finances, licensing and inspections to dig deeper. |
| 4:35-5:15 p.m. |
The right to records and open meetings. How to use federal and state laws. write an open records request, and appeal or challenge denials. |
5:15-5:45 p.m.
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Bulletproofing a story and creating a watchdog newsroom. Steps you can take to avoid making mistakes, and ways to create an environment that leads to better watchdog reporting. |
Saturday (optional CAR class) |
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
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Optional hands-on computer-assisted reporting training (Introductory)
How to use Excel, a powerful spreadsheet, for deadline and beat reporting on budgets, salaries and census data. Also how to dig deeper using the Internet and find valuable datasets for your stories.
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